Kudos to IKEA for introducing paid parental leaves to India Employees

Ikea introduces six months paid parental leave for India employees

The furniture giant has announced that all its employees in India — women and men — will be entitled to 26 weeks of paid parental leave on the birth of a child.

This policy will be also applicable to employees who have children through surrogacy or adoption. Also mothers will be able to work half days for 16 weeks on their return.

Workers in Ikea’s home country of Sweden still have it better — companies there are required to offer up to 16 months of paid parental leave, of which three months are reserved for fathers. But Ikea’s move is a big step forward for India, where a 2015 survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry showed 25% of women quit their jobs after having a child

Anna-Carin Månsson, Ikea India’s head of human resources, in a statement said “For us co-workers are no less than a family and it becomes imperative for us help them through an important phase like this of their lives. We remain committed towards empowering our co-workers at the workplace and ensuring equal opportunities.”

Parliament passed a bill last week that women will be entitled to 26 weeks full paid leave, up from 12 weeks previously. And this will become law soon.

Ikea has gone further than required, however by offering leave to fathers too.